How To Get Everything Done (The Minimalist Way) 

A few years ago I decided to learn the guitar, learn french and get fit. That on top of a busy job, keeping my house clean and tidy etc just didn't work. None stuck - I overwhelmed myself. My guitar is sat gathering dust in the corner! 😄

I love my bullet journal, it's what works best for me and has for many years. Though the way I use it has changed over time. Now I mostly use my monthly overview as planning. If it doesn't fit in the tiny squares, it's too much. So that helps not to plan too much 😊 I also really need my me-time to recharge

I rely on my Ayurvedic dinacharya, the daily routine; especially the morning portion. It gives me the chance to ground myself in Reality and sets me up for the day. The early morning hours can mimic the first days of an infant’s life according to tradition. A great way to reset how things evolve! Love seeing Paris…I spent my teen years in France and returned many times. Quand c’est bon le corps le sait!

Said it before, but Paris looks good on you. When you are talking about ballet at the very beginning, you look absolutely stunning with your hair up, sunglasses on.

Good for you prioritizing what you need most in your life. That can be difficult to do. I'm retired and decided I still needed some structure in my life so I'm learning Italian and French and taking time at the start of my day to exercise and challenge my mind. Relationships are more important than ever so I am also working on connecting with friends on a regular basis.

Ballet! That’s wonderful you found a class. Thank you for this video, I really needed this reminder to slow down and rethink my over stuffed “to do list”. I have been feeling very stressed and anxious, this video helped me so much.

The truth is I usually plan day by day. Everything is so volatile and planning way ahead can lead to frustration. The most planning I do is the weeks menu, knowing that may change at the last minute too.

You have only moved to Paris a train ride away - my family moved to New Zealand twice. I felt at home but unfortunately we came back twice so very disruptive. I got to see the world though and you have to look at the positives.

But that pink floor! OMG! I may have to paint mine!

I live in a sleepy village and I often struggle to get a grip at planning my time! Definitely good to here how your dealing with your time and what’s important. Xx

Such a lovely video, Jessica! And it feels like it fits this new-semester energy as a teacher. Finding the right structure and the right prioritising is even more difficult as an AuDHDer. Every time I am certain that I have found THE perfect way to structure my time and energi, I need to challenge it. I do recognise a lot of your excellent points, however - especially scheduling breaks is something that I really try to do. I have found something that works really well for me personally, and I wanted to share it. I have begun to think of plans and time more as rhythms in my day-to-day life, not routine. In my mind, routines feel like demands, and I struggle with those (PDA), so I have shifted my mindset to thinking about rhythms instead. Rhythms have a bit more room for little changes in relation to what feels interesting and what I have the energy for. I still know what needs to get done, but instead of making a list and sticking to it (the autistic part of me loves that) I need to frame the task wider - that way it feels less demanding, but I still get things done. Like when I get home from work, I disconnect my brain a bit. I have a rhythm in relation to making dinner, spending my evenings a certain way, knowing what practical stuff i need to get done, but I just follow the rhythm that feels natural to that particular day. It may sound abstract, but for me, renaming it and giving it a wider frame, it really helped me manoeuvring tasks and goals better.

Great vlog Jess. You made me feel like im not alone in trying to manage and prioritise what's important in my life and to get everything done. Life can be so overwhelming at times. I'm 36 soon and I feel like I should be a lot more organised and tidy at home than I am. It's a constant anxiety and work in progress and progress is quite slow. I need to declutter conservatory and bedroom and just get better at putting things away. It feels so much better when the house is tidy and I feel on top of things. I tend to just keep things in my head with sometimes a to do list on Samsung notes which I like because you can tick off. Love the idea of brain dumping. I journal from time to time which I find really beneficial but thats mostly for emotions rather than chores but I like the idea of doing that for chores or other stuff too. Thanks Jess for reminding me I'm not alone in my way of living too. I'm single, child free, live on my own and I get down and feel lonely a lot but you remind me I'm not alone ❤

Such helpful tips. I’ve just moved to one diary rather than having everything everywhere and it’s helped. Love the colour coding idea. Thanks for your channel and your vulnerability and honesty. I enjoy your videos 😊

Great video, Jessica! I have been both an overplanner and right now an underplanner (I think right now it’s due to a bad case of burnout that I can’t seem to resolve.) Things are falling through the cracks and my motivation is very low; I think I need a rebuild!

I was watching your video going oh my gosh!!! Me too! With me abruptly loosing my job and last week being told our landlords were selling our rental, I've kinda been in survival mode. I've struggled to get organized and into new rhythms of being at home again with my son and partially homeschooling my daughter. Your blog was much needed inspo to calm my mind and take a moment to get organized as this new phase of life begins. Also don't feel bad about the crazy schedule change with moving countries. I've done that multiple times and even though you know changes are happening, you can't really like know know until you do! Cheering you on to a more balanced and organized time in your new home. Loved the blog!!!!

Ballet again! Aw happy for you ❤️

I’m interested to know about your horses and if you will be riding in Paris? Do you miss riding?

You look so much happier now than you did when you were married. A man is not the answer you know that - your self worth is. You are on the right track doing things for you and your dear dog. Let it flow not everything needs to be planned.

I am retired and after years of structure I hate it and love my life now. I do my dog walk and shop and look after my home and grandchildren and can go where I want when I want and it is great. I have learnt so much since I have been retired and not for work for me. I am independent and live on my own and love it and a man is not the answer. Enjoy your freedom and I had not noticed your nose I thought straighter darker hair and darker foundation as you used to be pale was the change. Did you really need a new nose? Your wardrobe is better as you were dressing a little drabbily before but now I prefer the latest clothes and like you I love a dog walk as you see so much and it is fun and good for you. Animals are a must I think. I have been around the world and like train travel so may go through France on a train from St Pancras but no urgency. Cotswolds beckon too. I drive and independence is what women need and to be confident and positive. Health is priority as without that you have nothing.

I loved this vlog, seeing you looking so happy. I am currently enjoying a few days in the Peaks in the beautiful Ashford in the Water after your kind advise. I have always been a routine girl its just my nature, but in recent years i have struggled with overwhelm. I journal and often write my to do list but i wanted to ask, how often do you/others do this list ? Every week, once a month i feel i could do it everyday. Look forward to your next vlog / substack xx

Thanks for this video - I love your sunglasses are they Celine? Also you look great btw it looks like you lost weight since a video I saw of you last year? Looking good!!